"I am alone--the last light tread And laugh have died upon my ear; And I may weep unchecked--nor dread The scorn, that forces back the tear. I turn to Thee! oh! when the strings, The trustful heart has fondly thrown, Wound closely round its best-loved things-- Are, by one stroke, asunder torn, And bleeding, crushed, uncared for, lie-- When Hope's gay smile no joy can throw, And the soul breathes but one wish--to die! To whom else can the suffering go? Thou--Thou dost look within, and read How I have sought for love, and found Reproach instead--how in its need My spirit bowed it to the ground,-- E'en to the dust--and deemed it nought Bore patiently, when pained and wronged And smiled on sorrow, if it brought The priceless boon for which it longed. In vain! in vain! and now I come-- As to her nest the dove doth flee; Give Thou my wandering heart a home-- And bind its shattered chords to Thee!" "My poor child! are you then so sad?" She knew the hand upon her drooping head before he spoke; and with a prayer for support, that calmed her fluttering heart, arose to greet him. "Am I forgiven for my intrusion?" said he, leading her to a chair. "The front door was ajar, and hearing your music, I entered without ringing." "Freely pardoned! Have you been in town long?" "Since five o'clock this afternoon. I am on my way to the south with Annie. She is ordered to winter in Florida. Go with us--will you not? Charley supped with us; and Annie proposed this plan on hearing of your feeble health. She will wait until you are ready if you comply." "I am very grateful for her kindness; but I cannot avail myself of it." "Are there any 'propriety scruples?'" inquired he, smiling. "You will be her companion; and the most fastidious cannot object to the escort of a brother, and--an engaged man." She was fortified against even this. Her arch glance hid the heart-pang faithfully. "Where is _she?_" she questioned. "Lelia? at her father's house in S----. Here is her counterfeit." He unclasped a locket.